Chapter 23

Chase had warned me that I may not like him very much when he taught me how to fight in Alterealm. He had been right. The moves he made me do over and over and over again were starting to get on my nerves.

The secret was, or so he kept telling me, to do it so many times that it become reflex almost turning into a habit. I always thought habits were annoying.

He more or less said nothing other than one word each time I went through the series of moves, again. Saying it in every possible tone and volume didn’t make it any better to hear, and it was the only response to any comment I had to make.

I understood the reasons behind the repetition but once I reached the stage where I didn’t fall on my face or trip over those imaginary bumps in the floor, I was ready to move on.

I completed the sequence of steps, flips and lunges once more and then huffed out a breath and stood trying to catch it before he told me again. When he walked in my direction with a bottle of water I hoped it meant we were moving on to the next phase in this training. Not wanting to sound ungrateful, I say nothing as he came towards me. I mean seriously, how many people had the chance to learn how to fight from someone that had been doing it for two hundred years?

“I can’t quite decide whether the emotions I’m feeling from you are good for me or bad for me.” With a teasing glint in his eyes he handed me the bottle.

Uncapping it, I took a few small sips before answering. “That depends on how many more times you’re going to make me do the same thing.”

Reaching over, he brushed the hair back from my face. “I’m not making you do anything.”

I shrugged. “You know what I mean.” Wiping the sweat off my forehead, I took another sip and studied him. I didn’t know if it was the adrenalin pumping or his blood in my system, but he looked good enough to lick right about now. When he grinned, baring all of his teeth, I knew he’d picked up on the direction my mind was wandering.

“How’s your side doing?”

Bonus points for him by letting that slide by without comment. I stretched a little in both directions, side to side. “A little achy, nothing serious.”

He nodded. “Do you want to continue or call it a day?”

“That depends on whether we’re going to do the same thing or move on.”

His hazel eyes skimmed over me from the floor up to my eyes, but he didn’t say anything just turned around and walked over to the wall. Taking two flashy Sais off the wall he sent me an amused look. “Both.” Coming back over, he stopped a few feet in front of me and flipped the Sais from a forward motion to resting along his forearm. With the flick of his wrist, he turned the handle in his palms again. “Same moves with an added motion.” Tucking the weapons to his forearms again he looked from them to me. “When you’re rolling, or flipping they stay at a resting position.” He lunged forward, stepping with one long leg and moved the metal he held to a forward position. “When you stop, or change the flow of your direction, they are battle ready.”

I nodded and took them from him when he held them out.

“Tomorrow we’ll add a few more strenuous moves into the mix, but for today just work in feeling comfortable with them.”

I flicked them much like he’d done, only without dozens of decades to practice it wasn’t nearly as smooth.

“They should be used like an extension of your own arm, not in addition to it.” His phone rang. With an annoyed look, he pulled it from his pocket and looked at it. “I have to go deal with some business. Do you want to practice some more?”

I stopped. “I wouldn’t mind.”

Tucking the phone back in his pocket, he came over and grasped my chin lightly. “Don’t overdo it.” His eyes caressed over my face, pausing more than once on my mouth. I thought he was going to kiss me, but he released my face and walked to the door. “I’ll have Tim stay with you.”

“Thanks.” I said quickly before he was gone.

Without waiting for the guard, I turned around and walked to the other end of the mat once again. If I could pull this off, I may yet look graceful while doing it. Not that something like that matter in a fight, but I didn’t like to be outdone by a bunch of aged men, so I had some catching up to do.

Chase didn’t come back so I stayed there and performed the routine over and over with the odd applause from Tim when I managed to do it without dropping one or both Sais to the floor.

When just about every muscle in my body ached, I decided to call it a day. Tim walked me to my own room where I left a trail of sweaty clothes leading to the bathroom to soak in the tub.

As I sank into the steaming water, I glanced at the time and was shocked three hours had gone by since Chase had left. Worry set it, not about being left on my own that was well within in normal limits for me. I was a little concerned with being left alone so long. Three hours without seeing Chase, or even one of the brothers seemed a bit odd considering I rarely had a minute or more without one of the eight lurking nearby.

Getting out of the tub, I wrapped a lush towel around me. It was the size of a blanket and no doubt thicker than the one on my bed at home. There were just some things that no one would ever complain about in this life and a thick fluffy, larger than life towel was one of them.

I stared at my phone on the table wondering if I should call Chase and see if I had a reason to worry. After my almost departure from this and all other worlds, no one was telling me the progress in tracking down Marcus. Then again, in their defense, I hadn’t been conscious much.

Gnawing on my lip, I walked over and looked down at the phone. What if they were involved in another battle right now? I didn’t want to carry that train of thought any further. I wasn’t a worrier, at least I never had been before.

A knock on the door had me spinning around so quickly I almost fell onto the table. Rushing over to the door, I opened it a crack and almost sighed in relief to see Chase standing there. Then I remembered what I was wearing. A big towel was still just a towel when it came to company.

“May I?” He motioned to the door.

Clutching the towel in one hand, I opened the door and let him in. His eyes took their time noting how I was dressed, the interest was plain to see but he didn’t offer any verbal comment.

“Hi. I was soaking in the tub.”

His lips quirked. “I know you haven’t been back long. Tim just spent the last several minutes singing praises to your skill.”

“Oh.” Pulling the towel a little higher, I closed the door completely. “I think I’ve got the hang of it.”

“Mmm.” He tucked his hands in his pockets and just stood there looking at me. “You were worrying when I got here.”

This blood connection needed to wear off soon, I was lucky if I knew what I was feeling most of the time, having someone else tuned in was not something I wanted to get used to. “I just realized how long it had been since one of your brothers checked up on me.”

“Ah. I had hoped some of the concern was for me personally.” He sent me a smoldering look and I couldn’t have looked away if I wanted to.

“Some was.”

He chuckled softly. “My brothers are resting at this very moment it is technically their night time. Early today they were all pursuing some very interesting leads.”

“To finding Marcus?” Chase didn’t flinch when I said his name, unlike almost everyone else.

“We believe we’re getting closer. I should know more tomorrow.”

Not caring if I wasn’t entirely dressed, I moved over closer to him and craned my neck to look up at him. “I want in.” I couldn’t tell what he was thinking. How was it he could connect with me and know, but it didn’t go the other way?

Without changing his expression, he looked me up and down and then stepped closer. Reaching out, he pressed his hand against my side hitting exactly where the wound had been a day before. “How’s your side feeling?” His voice had dropped to a softer tone.

I didn’t want to clutch at the towel like a shy school girl, but I still kept my hand in place. “Right now, all of my muscles are a little tender.” I offered what I hoped came across as a cute little grin.

Raising one eyebrow, he glared down at me. “That’s not what I asked.”

I swallowed, trying to avoid inhaling how good he smelled. “It’s tender, but nothing extreme. Now you can respond to what I said. I want in.”

With his hand still pressed against my side, his eyes moved over my face. “Let’s see how you feel tomorrow and if, in fact, there is anything conclusive to follow up on.” With his other hand, he ran one finger along my collarbone to my shoulder.

I stood there not wanting to move away and watched his eyes change slightly as if they wanted to be yellow but he was controlling them. “If I’m equal to the throne, don’t you have to do what I want?”

He smirked. “At the monarchy level, possibly, but on a male level…” His eyes burned into mine. “I’m still in charge and I will not allow you to run full steam into battle when you are not ready.”

“Okay,” I practically squeaked. What was it with this man towering over me that brought out the girly-girl part of me that I’d never ever been in touch with before?

We continued to stand there, his hand at my waist and the other one now fingering my hair that hung near my shoulder. His eyes were still trying to go yellow.

Taking a shaky breath, I stilled his hand near my face with my free hand. “Do you need to…” I swallowed again. “Feed again?”

At the mention of the word, his eyes leaned towards the brighter hue from the hazel. “I shouldn’t, but I find the urge strong when I’m this close to you.”

“I’d like to try it.” What? My brain echoed inside my head.

Grasping my hand lightly, he lowered it to rest against his chest and looked down at me. “Not out of gratitude?”

I shook my head quickly, almost as if I didn’t I would change my mind. “More out of curiosity than anything else I think.”

It wasn’t until he straightened to his full height that I realized how close his face had been to mine. “It’s not the same as when you fed Quinton.”

“I know.” My nerves reminded me they were there once more.

He smirked. “It doesn’t have to be unpleasant either.” Lifting my chin, his eyes searched mine. “There is only one emotion I want to taste from you, kitten, and it would not be painful in any sort of way.” His voice was soft and husky.

It took a few seconds for my brain to kick back in. “Which one?” Did I sound needy? I hoped not because that was also something this girl didn’t do gracefully.

Lowering his face close enough again, I could feel his breath on my lips. “I think you need to go get dressed before we discuss this further.” He placed a gentle kiss on my cheek. “The emotion I’m after may not be the wisest to stir while you are wearing nothing but a towel.”

Nodding, I clutched the towel to my chest, but didn’t move. I understood what he was saying, but my body didn’t care. At the moment feeling the heat from his body and his eyes holding mine captive, my mind wasn’t objecting either.

A knock on the door barely registered.

“Yes?” Chase called out, still standing there holding my chin.

“It would save me time if you’d answer your damn…”

Chase released my chin and turned allowing me to see Troy standing in the door. He pulled his phone out and looked at it. “I didn’t hear it.”

Troy looked me up and down and I couldn’t focus enough to figure out what the expression on his face conveyed.

“When you didn’t answer I wondered if something was wrong.” He glanced at me again before his brother. “I can see nothing is.”

“I was telling Daxx we may be closer.” Chase didn’t let the look his brother was sending him make him move away from me, in fact I think he actually moved closer so our sides were touching.

“Were you telling her while she was bathing or drying?” There was no mistaking the sarcastic tone in Troy’s voice.

I scowled. “Neither. I had just got out when he knocked; I didn’t have time to get dressed yet.” Pulling the towel up further, I looked from one King to the other. Not liking the territorial vibes they were emitting, I sighed. “I’ll get dressed and then we can talk about what’s been discovered.” Moving quickly over to the closet, I pulled out the first top and bottom my hand connected with and then turned and went into the bathroom.

I don’t think I’ve ever dressed as fast as I did and when I was finished I regretted not grabbing underwear to put on. Glancing at the one’s I’d dropped on the floor earlier, I shook my head and went back out.

“Okay,” I said softly even though I wasn’t feeling very gentle inside. “What’s going on?”

Chase stood leaning against the desk, his arms crossed over his chest. Troy stood by the closed door in the identical position. Both had their jaws locked and a distasteful expression in their eyes as they looked at each other.

Rolling my eyes when I wanted to groan out loud but didn’t. “If you two are having some sort of internal argument I can’t hear, you may as well say it out loud.”

Chase turned and looked at me, his eyes softening as he looked me up and down. His lips twitched and I suddenly was blasted with a feeling of lust confirming two things, first that he did control this connection between us when he wanted to and second I should have put on the sweaty bra. “There’s no discussion taking place.” He shrugged, “I’m not sure what the issue is.”

Troy sighed loud enough we both heard him and turned. Lowering his head, he looked at the floor. “I do apologize. The last day has been a bit trying.” Lifting his head, he looked over at me, his eyes moving slowly over me. “First, we almost lose our Huntress, then we find out we’re in some pretty serious shit and when I stepped through the door I...”

With the last part, Chase straightened away from the desk. “Raf’s back?”

Troy nodded, the expression on his face looking bleak. “A short while ago. He’s exhausted but managed to get in and out without detection.”

“How bad?” Chase moved over to his brother in long strides.

“Bad,” Troy said quietly.

I looked from one to the other. “Can we drop the cryptic speak and tell me what is going on?”

Chase turned, a hesitant look on his face. “With the help of another mage using a cloaking spell, Rafael has been undercover on your side of the realm tracking down some leads.” He looked at Troy. “We have to tell her.”

I didn’t like where this was going. I reached behind me and then realized my raptor sat on the table. I suddenly felt more naked without it than I had in the towel. “Tell me what, guys?”

“We managed to find some leads on a few that have vanished from our side, the sort that should never be on your side,” Chase motioned to me. “While you were recovering Raf, Michael, Victor and Quinton have been on your side locating them…”

“Them, as in the ones that should never be on my side?” I held my breath until he nodded. “Did they bring them back?” I didn’t know what sort they were but if Chase felt they shouldn’t be there then I was worried.

Troy straightened away from the wall and came in my direction. “It’s not that simple. They’re working with Marcus and Raf has discovered it’s a lot worse than we first anticipated.”

“What did he find out?” Chase asked in a lethal tone.

“There are close to two dozen in Daxx’s realm. They meet the day after tomorrow.”

“Two dozen?” I interrupted.

Troy nodded. “That we know of.” His eyes flicked to Chase, who nodded before he looked back at me. “They are nightmares on your side. Cold blooded killers, mages and not the good kind and the rest are just crazy enough to think they can take over.”

My spine stiffened. “Take over? What, my side?”

“That’s the vibe Raf picked up.” Troy confirmed.

“When are we going over?” Chase’s voice sent shivers down my spine and they weren’t at all good ones.

“Tomorrow night we’re going to meet and get it set up so we’re all over there long before they have a chance to do anything.”

Chase ran a hand through his hair. “You’re going to have to take more than one mage, possibly even a witch or two to keep the locals in the dark.”

I processed this quickly. “You can block the humans from seeing?”

Sighing, Troy shrugged. “That’s the plan.”

Which meant it would be fighting like they were on this side of reality. “Where are they meeting?”

“Raf says it’s a worse neighborhood then you live in.” Troy stated with a note of surprise. “I find that hard to believe.”

I snorted. “My neighborhood is a rose garden compared to the other side of the bridge.” I chewed on my lip for a minute, doing some fast math. Eight brothers, plus me only made nine against way too many psychos. “We need more.”

“More?” Chase came over and looked down at me. “More what?”

“Able bodies to fight.” I ignored the look in his eyes that said he didn’t think I should be involved. “If your witch or whatever can block out the rest of the world from knowing what’s going on then I think we should take Tim and a few of the other guards with us, we’re seriously outnumbered. “

His expression hardened. “I agree with the guards, but not to you going.”

I could actually feel his concern for me; it was good, but bad. Good that I could feel it but bad because now I couldn’t tear a piece off him for saying it. “My side, my territory.”

Chase’s jaw clenched and for thirty seconds he mulled it over before nodding abruptly and moving to the other side of the room.

I was suddenly swamped with emotion and couldn’t even describe what kind of emotion. It was hot, but cold at the same time. Opening my mouth, I shut it just as quickly and looked over at Troy. “I’m going.”

His lips quirked. “I didn’t say otherwise. In fact, we need you there because as you said it’s your side. I believe you have to be present to keep the balance between the realms.” With a quick glance to his brother, he rubbed the back of his neck and sighed. “I need to get some rest. We’ll meet at breakfast and hammer out the details?”

“We’ll be there.” Chase answered before I could say a word.

Troy nodded and then looked down at me. There was a look on his face that he wanted to say something, but it vanished. “I’m glad you’re recovered.” He turned and left without waiting for a reply.

Mouth hanging open, I stared at the door and then looked over at the man standing in the shadowed corner in my room. “What was that about?”

“I didn’t shield my twin from the sudden urge to strangle you and kiss you; I’m not sure which I wanted more.” The vulnerability was clear in his voice. “I’m afraid he didn’t know what to make of it.”

I didn’t know what to make of it. “You know your life would be much simpler without all this connection stuff.” I didn’t move any closer, not sure if I really wanted to. “I have to be there, Chase, surely you know that.”

Moving away from the corner, he walked over to the desk and sat on the edge of it. “I do but it doesn’t mean I have to like it.”

“I didn’t ask you to like anything.” Still reeling from the onslaught of his emotions moments earlier I kept my distance.

He sent me a heated look before he cloaked his expression with his long lashes and looked down at the floor. “I don’t seem to be in control of that lately either.”

I should have asked what he was talking about exactly, but that voice inside my head that keeps me from sticking my nose in things I really don’t want to be in spoke up, so I brushed right over his comment. “I understand completely. I’m in another realm, who knew”

“Damariss, please come over here.” His voice was soft and it sent shivers all over me, the good kind.

Wary of why, I moved over to stand a few feet in front of him. His eyes, bordering on changing again moved over my face. “I’d like to have dinner with you and maybe for a few hours not have to debate fighting tactics or whether or not you should go to battle again, can we do that?”

In all the possible things he could say, that wasn’t one of them, it wasn’t even on the list of possibilities. “I think so.”

Reaching out, he grabbed my hand and pulled me toward him. When I stood between his knees, close enough to see his chest rise and fall, he tipped my chin up and studied me. “Later, after we’ve had a chance to eat and relax, I’m going to ask if you’re still willing.”

I didn’t have to ask what he was referring to, knowing that I had volunteered to be his next meal, or whatever he called it. “Okay.”

Releasing my chin, he clenched his jaw a few times. “Could you please go put a bra on so Tim doesn’t trip over his own feet?” His eyes dipped down to my chest.

Suddenly feeling like I had no shirt on, while my body responded to his stare, I nodded and backed away. “I’ll be back in a minute.”